Vicious propaganda underway to malign NAB, says Javed Iqbal

Chairman National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal said on Tuesday that vicious propaganda is ongoing against NAB.

"No threat or blackmailing will be a hurdle in the way of the bureau [taking action against those involved in corruption]," the former judge said while addressing media persons in Islamabad.

"We have been accused of everything except [spreading] the coronavirus," he quipped. "Those who are involved in the propaganda are the ones facing some sort of inquiry or investigation against them."

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Iqbal maintained that those who think that NAB has filed a wrongful reference against them may approach the court. "NAB is also answerable," he said and added, "we can respond to those levelling accusations against them but we stay silent."

The NAB chief noted that even those who were earlier known as 'untouchable' are being summoned by the bureau. "There's a difference between a business and a fraud. We prioritise the interests of the businessmen and will take steps for redressing their issues"

"The institution of NAB exists to be of service to the masses," he added. "We are in debt of billions of dollars as a nation." The ex justice noted that the law and order situation has improved, saying the credit goes to the armed forces of the country.

Political parties, particularly Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), arch-rivals of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), accuse the top graft watchdog of political victimisation and sparing those at the helm of affairs from corruption inquiries.